The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 94

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 94.
Upon hearing Peter’s command, Pursel went directly to find the First Princess.
“So His Majesty refuses to yield on this matter?”
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
“Why should you? You merely relayed the command on his behalf.”
Pursel watched as the princess set down her book. It was filled with explanations about etiquette and the Book of Etiquette, though he questioned whether it actually helped.
“But tell me—do you truly believe loyalty means following your master’s choice, even when it is wrong?”
Pursel’s pupils trembled as he met the First Princess’s calm, amber gaze.
“Before, His Majesty was influenced by an evil presence, but this time it seems purely his own will.”
Pursel’s jaw clenched shut, struck by the truth of her words.
It was something he had already recognized. The Detection Holy Relic he had borrowed from the Temple as a precaution showed no response. It had been the same in the early stages when he was entranced by the Source of Evil.
But back then, His Majesty had even harmed himself to resist the dark temptation.
This time, there was no hesitation in any of his choices. No guilt whatsoever.
As if any scheme were acceptable in pursuit of what he desired—even if it concerned the honor of his last remaining blood relative.
“I…”
“Is it not the duty of any knight to serve a worthy sovereign and count it glorious to lay down his life in service of his lord’s will?”
Faced with Sernia’s overwhelming dignity, Pursel felt a sudden pressure—the same aura he sometimes sensed in the presence of the Holy Saint or the Holy Knight Order Commander.
His gaze lowered instinctively, and the contents of the book the princess had been reading came into view.
It was not a book of etiquette. It was a history of the Empire—specifically, the section where a virtuous ruler resolved to overthrow the tyrant Fifth Emperor.
Sensing his gaze, Sernia closed the book. The cover was exactly as he had seen it before.
“Yes, if the sovereign you recognize is my brother, then so be it. He was someone who could have lived suppressing his instincts and pretending to be virtuous just to win the affection of the Holy Knight Order Commander.”
Sernia draped the shawl she had been wearing over the book.
As she did, her snow-white shoulders were revealed—a display seemingly designed to tempt.
“A powerless princess who has lost both honor and love must follow the path of her departed sibling.”
Was this a threat?
Sernia rose from her seat, leaving behind an enigmatic, melancholy smile.
The knight, watching the First Princess depart, could neither betray his sovereign nor dissuade the princess from her choice. He simply stood there, paralyzed.
All he held in his hand was a stone the Holy Saint had pressed into his palm as a precaution.
* * *
Meanwhile, Ushiel caught someone leaving the entrance of the Holy Knight Order Dormitory.
“Oh my, the Holy Saint.”
“Bailey.”
“The Duke and Artiela have already departed for the Count’s Estate, haven’t they?”
Bailey, assuming naturally that Ushiel had come to see them, offered the answer preemptively. But Ushiel simply gazed at her intently for a moment.
“Why do you look at me that way?”
“Out of gratitude.”
“Gratitude? To me? My, how touching. But what could you possibly be grateful for?”
Ushiel walked ahead, and Bailey naturally fell into step beside her.
“For Duke Rupel. I’m so deeply grateful that you raised him gently and sent him to Artiela like that.”
Bailey’s footsteps faltered slightly, but she resumed walking alongside Ushiel.
“Without you at his side, he would likely have collapsed long ago.”
“He appears delicate on the surface, but he has a strong core. He was worn out from enduring so much from childhood, that’s all. I simply stood beside him and encouraged him to avoid making poor choices.”
At Bailey’s response, Ushiel smiled softly once more.
“How pleased Bertia would have been to see his son like this, don’t you think?”
“With such a lovely young lady as his sweetheart, he should be quite satisfied. Even more so since his closest friend is Artiela’s mother.”
As Ushiel and Bailey continued their gentle conversation, they soon arrived before the Sacred Tree. Upon seeing it, Bailey regarded it with reverent eyes.
Especially the flower that Kirien and Artiela had created.
The tree the Holy Saint tended was growing fresh and healthy as never before—so much so that one could scarcely believe the Source of Evil still existed.
“The flower is still so vibrant. It seems they’ve put in considerable effort.”
“Indeed. Fruit should bloom once the flower falls, but it seems we’re still far from that.”
“Yet it’s advancing much faster than expected, isn’t it? The Duke’s heart must run quite deep.”
As Bailey looked up at the flower, she blinked at the persistent gaze fixed upon her.
Ushiel deliberated for a moment. And she was certain. But she did not speak it aloud.
If she acknowledged it, Bailey might vanish as if fleeing.
Besides, there was no opportunity to ask.
“My, Holy Saint. There’s a light shining from your breast?”
The emergency communication network had activated.
“It seems a decision has finally been made.”
As Bailey tilted her head in confusion, Ushiel placed her hand on the tree. Then, in a voice loud enough for Bailey to hear, she offered a prayer that was not quite a prayer.
“Is breaking a promise kept for so long in order to set justice right going against Divine Will?”
At that moment, an answer flowed from Bailey’s lips.
“The path my proxy walks is the path the Divine walks, so if you have conviction, you may proceed.”
As Ushiel opened her eyes, Bailey offered a gentle smile.
“That was during the time of the Sixth Holy Saint, wasn’t it? I’ve heard the stories often from Bertia.”
You’re quite the liar.
But today you’re a welcome reinforcement, at least.
“I’m going to see Artiela right now—would you like to come along to the Count’s Estate?”
“What? Right now?”
“Yes, if we go now, likely….”
Ushiel whispered to Bailey with a playful smile.
“The Duke is probably having quite a time trying to get your father’s permission.”
Curiosity flickered in Bailey’s eyes.
So let’s go right this moment.
* * *
Kirien was indeed in a difficult predicament.
“Heh, heh, heh….”
His father’s face bore the marks of shock as well.
“Duke, you said you’ve studied Chess for how many years?”
“About two years. I played often when my father and siblings were alive, but since they all passed, I haven’t had anyone to play with and have barely touched it since.”
“And at two years into learning, you possess this caliber of skill….”
His father dropped the Chess piece he’d been holding.
“I’ve lost.”
This was already the third time.
The first loss had largely been his father’s own blunder—he’d carelessly sacrificed the Queen two turns before an opportunity to capture it. But the remaining two were nothing short of complete defeat at his father’s hand.
His father’s pride in his Chess prowess had been utterly shattered.
He’d always prided himself as the finest player in the Empire.
“Perhaps… going forward….”
Kirien answered on behalf of the Count, who couldn’t quite finish his sentence.
“Would it be acceptable for me to visit the Count’s Estate from time to time to play Chess?”
“By all means. Come whenever you have a day off.”
“That won’t do.”
Artiela had objected.
So she was already looking after her boyfriend more than her father—Kirien felt awkward.
“Father should come to Edelion instead. It’s still dangerous if you wander about too frequently.”
“I was shortsighted. Very well—I’ll bring the Chess Board and come find you.”
They’d been chattering so pleasantly that they’d completely forgotten their original purpose.
The gifts sent by the Emperor still lay stacked in the separate quarters, and since Bleo hadn’t arrived, they couldn’t hold the consultation.
“But why is my brother taking so long? Does the Imperial Palace have a great deal of work?”
“I’m not sure. Though His Majesty has been reviewing matters bit by bit….”
But he couldn’t have been that busy.
Since the Emperor’s memory wasn’t wholly intact either, it wouldn’t do to make a great show of activity if he was to avoid drawing attention.
And then, a visitor arrived.
“Master, a visitor has come from the Imperial Palace.”
“At this hour? What could it be?”
Didn’t they just leave?
“It appears… that the Young Master has caused quite a serious incident.”
“What? How do you mean—did he hit someone?”
Artiela imagined Bleo pummeling the Emperor who’d sent the Proposal Letter, and asked the question.
But the answer that came was not what she’d expected.
“He has taken the Imperial Princess, saying he will break the Engagement Ban.”
So he’s finally acted like a man.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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